<i>To have community events listed in Centre View, mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to <a href=mailto:centreview@connectionnewspapers.com> centreview@connectionnewspapers.com</a> or fax to 703-917-0991. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-917-6434.</i>
<b>ONGOING</b>
All 37 Fire and Rescue Stations around the county will be collecting food for Fairfax County Homeless Shelters now through Feb. 11. Contact the Public Affairs and Life Safety Education at 703-246-3801 or Lt. Willie Bailey at 703-246-3963.
Smart Markets of Oakton is a year-round market with vendors offering meats, cheeses, breads and bakery goods, pasta, sausages, coffee and Virginia wines. It is held Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Visit www.smartmarkets.org.
The Fairfax County Police Department is now seeking residents to attend the upcoming Spring Citizens Police Academy, held Thursday evenings March 12 through May 16. The Citizens Police Academy offers Fairfax County citizens a better understanding of the Police Department and a greater awareness of the daily challenges faced by its officers.
The Citizens Police Academy is a 10-week program designed to provide members of the public a unique "glimpse behind the badge."
The Spring Citizens Police Academy will be held Thursday evenings from March 12 through May 16, 2009. Classes meet from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the exception of graduation which will be held on Saturday, May 16 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Class locations will rotate to various police facilities throughout the county.
The program is offered free of charge. Applicants are required to live or work in Fairfax County, must be 18 years of age, and provide their own transportation to and from training. Acceptance is subject to review of applicant’s criminal record and police contact history.
For more information or an application form, e-mail CPA@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-280-0713.
The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority is searching for a new partner to operate Hemlock Overlook Regional Park. Hemlock Overlook Regional Park is one of 22 parks owned by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.
The facility includes a zip line through the woods and a high elements challenge course. All features at the facility have been used for team building and environmental education for both fifth and sixth graders. Various companies and organizations have also utilized the facility in order to promote and strengthen teambuilding skills. The park includes 275 acres of rolling woodlands situated on the banks of Bull Run in Clifton. Also included are cabins, rest room/shower buildings, mess hall, administration building, and several picnic shelters.
Organizations interested in submitting proposals can obtain a copy of the newly release request for proposals at: http://www.nvrpa.org/html/index.php?pg=bidsproposals.html
Centreville Regional Library will be offering AARP Tax-Aide to walk-in clients on Tuesdays from 1-8 p.m.; Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Feb. 1 through April 15. The library is at 14200 St. Germaine Dr., Centreville. This year, all tax returns will be electronically filed. All taxpayers MUST bring a government issued picture ID and Social Security cards for all persons included on the tax return. For more information, call 1-888-227-7669 (AARP NOW) or visit the Web site at www.aarp.org/taxaide.
Austin Grill in Centreville is holding a Kids Eat Free (2 per paying adult) on Tuesday evenings from 6-8 p.m.
Chick-fil-A at Fair Oaks Mall hosts "Family Night" every Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. Every week there is a free, different activity to entertain kids of all ages. Come celebrate at Fair Oaks Mall, located inside the main entrance between Sears and Macy’s. Call us 703-279-1883 or email at CFAEVENTS@aol.com.
<b>Thursday/Feb. 5</b>
Book author Anthony Pitch will hold a discussion and signing for "They Have Killed Papa Dead!" The Road to Ford’s Theatre, Abraham Lincoln’s Murder, and The Rage for Vengeance, on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Borders in Fairfax, 11054 Lee Hwy., Fairfax. Call 703-359-8420.
<b>Friday, Feb. 6<b>
Swing Dances are held every Friday night at the Dulles Hilton in the Red Fox Room with Sue and Gary Caley. Drop-in beginner lesson included in price of admission from 8:30-9 p.m. Live music from 9 p.m. to midnight. Cost is $15. All ages welcome, large dance floors, air conditioned. Hilton Washington Dulles Hotel, 13869 Park Center Road, Herndon. Go to www.gottaswing.com for details etc.
<b>Saturday/Feb. 7</b>
The Lane's Mill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will hold its monthly meeting on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. at the Sully Government Center. Those interested in the DAR and attending are welcome and should contact jsmithtot@aol.com.
The Nighthawks band will perform on Saturday, Feb. 7 at Sully's in Chantilly.
<b>On Sunday, Feb. 8</b>
The Old Dominion Chrysanthemum Society will present a one-hour slide program, with Q&A, introducing the newest mum cultivars being offered for the 2009 season, and a review of the Best Exhibition Mums offered by Ted King . The meeting will be held on Sunday, Feb. 8 at 2:30 p.m. at the Falls Church Community Center, 223 Little Falls Street, Falls Church. Open to the public. Free Admission and refreshments. Call Jim Dunne at 703-560-8776.
<b>Monday, Feb. 9</b>
Special story time with Susan Crites, children's author of "I Love You More Than Rainbows," on Monday, Feb. 9 at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. at the Chantilly Regional Library. All ages welcome. Go to www.susancrites.com.
<b>Wednesday/Feb. 11</b>
Pre-Schoolers Plus, chapter of Mothers First, a support group for women who have chosen to alter their careers to raise their children. 7:30 p.m., Oakton Library, 10304 Lynnhaven Pl, Oakton. Contact 703-827-5922 or www.mothersfirst.org.
<b>FEB. 12-15</b>
Valentines, Singing Valentines! For that "very special someone" in your life, send an elegantly dressed traditional Barbershop quartet from the Fairfax Jubil-Aires Barbershop Harmony Chorus to serenade your loved one with a Valentine gift that will be cherished and remembered in the years to come. Your very special Valentine will include two romantic love songs sung in the Barbershop style, a red rose, a box of chocolates, and a personalized Valentines card from you. Quartets are available on Feb 12th,13th, 14th, and 15th at a location of your choosing. All this for only $70 on Feb 14th. Special Pricing of only $50 on Feb 12,13, and 15. Call Ron at 703-978-7691.
<b>FEB. 13-14</b>
The Alliance Theatre will present "Plaza Suite" on Feb. 13-14, 20-21 at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees on Feb. 14 and 22 at 2 p.m. Performances will be held at Mountain View High School, 5775 Spindle Court, Centreville. Tickets are $10 with group discount pricing available and $8 for seniors and children under 12. For tickets, order online at TheAllianceTheatre.org.
This play is directed by Kevin C. Robertson and produced by Elaine Wilson and Maggie Swan. The small cast includes old and new faces including Jym Newton (Sam), Janet Deweke (Karen), Kelly Ingram (Jean/Mimsey), Ryan Ingram (Bellhop), John Ingargiola (Jesse), Anja Akstin (Muriel), Sean Wilson (Roy), Sarah Daniels (Norma) and Ian Burns (Borden.) For more information about how to join The Alliance Theatre, family visit TheAllianceTheatre.org or call Elaine Wilson at 703-830-1078.
<b> Saturday, Feb. 14</b>
Local dance instructors Sue and Gary Caley of Gotta Swing have volunteered their time for the St. John Neumann Theatre Ministry fund-raiser dance party, the Dancing Thru The Decades Swingtacular on Saturday, Feb. 14 from 8 p.m. to midnight at the St. John Neumann Parish Center, 11900 Lawyers Road in Reston. Admission is $15 and includes a smorgasbord of delectable desserts, coffee, tea and beverages, and dance instruction from 8-9 p.m. Music appealing to all ages will be featured, dance partners are not required and "just watching" seating will be available. Call 703-860-8510, or www.sjntheatreministry.org.
<b>Monday, Feb. 16</b>
Assistance League, a volunteer organization that promotes literacy and well-being of women and children in Northern Virginia, is ringing in the New Year welcoming new members. ALNV runs two reading programs in Fairfax and provides layettes to newborns and comfort items to sexually assaulted women and children and others in need. A meeting will be held on Monday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m., at the Sully Government Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly. Immediately following the meeting, the volunteers will assemble toiletry kits for a program assisting soldiers in transition from rehab back to the field or home. Call Beth at 703-648-1822; alnorthernva@yahoo.com; www.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.
<cal2>Spring is just around the corner. The Centreville Garden Club has many activities, speakers, and trips on its calendar for the coming year. The next meeting will be on Monday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Sully District Government Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. Free. E-mail centrevillegardenclub@gmail.com or call 703-818-9094.
<b>Wednesday, Feb. 18</b>
New Neighbors League Club of DC Metro, a non-profit organization, is looking for those women new to the area or newly retired and looking for activities and friends. The club offers Bridge, Mah Jong, Bunco, Book Clubs, Bowling, Movie outings, Bible study, Gardening, Quilting & Stitching, Southern Living dining, Nursing Home sing-a-long and much more. Come to the monthly coffee on Wednesday, Feb. 18 to learn more about the group, or call 703-392-4641.
<b>Thursday/Feb. 19</b>
The Western Fairfax Republican Women's Club will host Del. Tim Hugo on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. Hugo will be speaking on Virginia's General Assembly and how most of us are more concerned about how short our pocketbooks will be with a reported $3 billion shortfall. The address is 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly. For details, go to www.wfrwc.org.
La Leche League of Centreville/Chantilly will hold its February meeting on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. The topic is "The Family and the Breastfed Baby". Pregnant and nursing women as well as their children are welcome to attend. Meeting location for February is the Chantilly Library, 4000 Stringfellow Rd. Free. Call a La Leche League Leader at 703-471-7762 or 703-449-0131.
<b> Friday, Feb. 20</b>
The public is invited to celebrate African American History Month at the Fairfax County Government Center on Friday, Feb. 20, at a free event sponsored by the county government, Cox Communications and TV One Lifestyle & Entertainment Television. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a reception and musical performances by the Antioch Baptist Church Gospel Choir, Alfred Street Baptist Church Male Chorus and the Cheyney Thomas Trio. The feature entertainment, which begins at 7:30 p.m., is the play, "A Rose Among Thorns: A Tribute to Rosa Parks," performed by award winning actress Ella Joyce. Contact Emma Marshall with the Department of Family Services at 703-324-7483; TTY 703-222-9452 or by e-mail at emma.marshall@fairfaxcounty.gov.
<b>FEB. 26-28</b>
The Capital Home & Garden Show will be held Feb. 26 – March 1, at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly. Look for valuable show specials, get expert advice and learn cost-saving measures all under one roof. Hours are Thursday, Feb. 26 from 5-9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27-28 from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission is $12/adults, $3/children (6-12) and free kids 5 & under. Go to www.CapitalHomeShow.com.
<b>Tuesday/March 3</b>
The Northern Virginia Holistic Moms will hold its March meeting on Tuesday, March 3 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Oakton Library, 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton. This month's topic is: "Organic Gardening" Hear organic gardening tips from Mitch Baker of American Plan and Nursery.
<b>Saturday/March 7</b>
Del. Chuck Caputo will host a Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, March 7 from 2-4 p.m. at the Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly.
<b>Thursday, March 19</b>
The New Providence Republican Women meeting will be held Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. at the Oakton Library, Meeting Room 1, 10304 Lynnhaven Place. Guest speaker is Anthony Bedell, chairman of the Fairfax County Republican Committee. All welcome. Call 703-591-7368.
<b>APRIL 3-5</b>
Satisfy your cravings at the Women’s Show of Northern Virginia at the Dulles Expo Center. Don’t miss savvy shopping, creative cooking ideas, healthy lifestyle tips, trendy fashion shows, great celebrity guests and prizes. Show Hours: Friday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Admission: Adults, $9 at door; $8 on-line; $7 at Harris Teeter with your VIC card. Youth (6-12), $5; under 6 free with adult. Groups of 10 or more, $7.50 each. Sponsored by Inova Health System, Fairfax Times, Harris Teeter, Northern Virginia Magazine, WUSA Channel 9, and Fairfax Woman. To order tickets or for more information call 800-849-0248 or visit www.WomensShowNOVA.com.
<b>Sunday/Aug. 23</b>
The Caring Hands Animal Hospital will hold its annual Open House on Sunday, Aug. 23 at its location at 5659 Stone Road in Centreville. Visitors are welcome to come and tour the hospital, meet the doctors and staff, participate in a silent auction, meet local rescue groups, spin a prize wheel, etc. All proceeds from the day go directly to benefit local pet rescue groups.